Debut single becomes a smash hit and social phenomenon! Ranking of Akiko Kobayashi’s popular songs
Akiko Kobayashi is a singer-songwriter who debuted as a writer in 1984 and made her singing debut in 1985.
Her debut single, “Koi ni Ochite -Fall in love-,” used as the theme song for the TV drama Friday Wives III: Falling in Love, later became widely known for being covered by many musicians, including Hideaki Tokunaga.
This time, we’re introducing a ranking of Akiko Kobayashi’s most popular songs—so sit back and immerse yourself in her gentle vocals.
Debut single becomes a smash hit and social phenomenon! Ranking of Akiko Kobayashi’s popular songs
Fall in LoveKobayashi Akiko1rank/position
A 1985 hit song that became a major sensation alongside a TBS drama.
Its poignant portrayal of a romance with a married man is delicately woven through a beautiful melody and flawlessly delivered vocals.
Showcasing the full extent of Akiko Kobayashi’s talent as composer, the piece—enhanced by the comforting flow of a canon progression—stirs both ache and empathy in listeners.
It topped the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart seven times and, as a long‑loved message song, has endured over time.
Even today, it shines as a heartwarming ballad that stands by everyone troubled by love.
Falling in LoveKobayashi Akiko2rank/position
Akiko Kobayashi is known for her crystal-clear singing voice.
Released in August 1985, this song was used as the theme for the TBS Friday drama “Friday Wives III: Falling in Love,” and it ranked high on the Oricon charts.
It became a massive hit, selling over a million copies.
The lyrics delicately portray the aching feelings of a woman in love, perfectly harmonized with a melody that resonates in the heart.
Wanting to call but unable to, longing to meet but unable to—such frustrations of love are vividly expressed through Kobayashi’s gentle vocals.
As a pure love song, it remains a timeless classic that continues to touch many hearts.
Fall in LoveKobayashi Akiko3rank/position
A gem of a love song that portrays the aching feelings of a woman in love.
With moving lyrics by Reiko Yukawa and a beautiful melody composed by Akiko Kobayashi herself, this work harmonizes perfectly to vividly depict the delicate emotions of a woman suffering from a forbidden love.
Released in August 1985, it was also used as the theme song for the TBS drama “Friday Wives.” It topped the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart seven times and became a massive hit, ranking third on the 1985 year-end chart.
Even today, it continues to be beloved by people of all ages as a song that stays close to the hearts of those who harbor secret affections and wavering emotions.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOUKobayashi Akiko, Nagai Mariko, Remi, Karashima Midori4rank/position
The title track included on the 1989 Christmas song compilation album “MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU.” This song is performed by four of the album’s participating artists—Akiko Kobayashi, Mariko Nagai, Remi, and Midori Karashima—singing together.
Over a gentle accompaniment, their beautiful voices blend into a splendid harmony, giving the song a sparkling, quintessentially Christmas-like beauty.
Many of you may have listened to this album frequently back then, don’t you think?
falling in loveKobayashi Akiko5rank/position
This is the debut single by singer-songwriter Akiko Kobayashi, who moved her base to London, UK in 1992 and has been working on music under the artist name “holi,” traveling back and forth between Japan and the UK.
The song was used as the theme for the TV drama Friday Wives III: Falling in Love, and, together with the drama that became a social phenomenon, it was a major hit.
The lyrics, whose era-evoking imagery serves as a hook, center on the theme of a forbidden love, yet they possess a certain beauty that feels slightly removed from contemporary reality.
It’s a number that would be mesmerizing when sung by a woman in her 50s—and one that many would love to hear men sing at karaoke.
Rainy SundayKobayashi Akiko6rank/position
I thought, “Another breakup song?” but it turned out to be a song about a woman living alone in the big city, in autumn, spending a slow Sunday in the rain and questioning the way she just goes with the flow in life.
No matter how old you are, this struggle might exist even if you’re not a woman or don’t live in a city.
Akiko Kobayashi’s breezy singing style is wonderful, too.
I want to give you a wonderful Christmas present.Kobayashi Akiko7rank/position
The smash hit song “Koi ni Ochite – Fall in Love -” is included on the album for the drama Friday Wives III.
With “Koi ni Ochite,” she won the 27th Japan Record Awards Composition Encouragement Prize and quickly became a popular singer-songwriter.